Popo vs. Police — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 15, 2024
"Popo" is a slang term for police, often used informally or in casual conversation, while "police" is the formal term for law enforcement officials responsible for maintaining public order and safety.
Difference Between Popo and Police
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Popo" is colloquial and typically used in informal contexts, particularly in American English, to refer to the police in a somewhat playful or derogatory manner. In contrast, "police" is the official term used globally to describe the body of officers representing the civil authority of government.
While "Popo" can carry a tone of irreverence or casualness, the term "police" is neutral and used in legal, formal, and serious contexts. This distinction makes "police" suitable for news reports, official communications, and legal documents, whereas "Popo" would appear out of place and unprofessional in these settings.
The use of "Popo" might appeal to younger demographics or be more common in urban slang. On the other hand, "police" is universally recognized and understood, transcending age groups and social contexts, ensuring clear communication about law enforcement matters.
In media representations, "Popo" is often seen in movies, TV shows, and songs that aim to capture urban life or youth culture. Conversely, "police" is the term used in more serious or documentary-type portrayals of law enforcement activities.
Cultural perception also plays a role in the choice between these terms. "Popo" can be seen as diminishing the authority or formal role of the police, especially in communities with strained police relations. Meanwhile, using "police" denotes respect and recognition of their official duties and responsibilities.
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Comparison Chart
Formality
Informal, slang
Formal, official
Usage Context
Casual conversations, certain media
Legal documents, news, official reports
Tone
Can be playful or derogatory
Neutral, professional
Recognition
Recognized in certain cultures and age groups
Universally recognized and understood
Cultural Perception
Often used in contexts with casual or critical views of law enforcement
Used where formal respect and authority are emphasized
Compare with Definitions
Popo
Used in urban slang to denote police presence.
The popo showed up at the party.
Police
Used to refer to those who enforce laws, maintain public order, and provide safety.
The police have launched a new community safety initiative.
Popo
Informal reference to law enforcement.
He didn’t want to get caught by the popo.
Police
Neutral and professional term.
The police statement was released to the media.
Popo
Sometimes used derogatorily.
The popo were hassling us for no reason.
Police
Represents civil authority.
The role of the police is crucial in maintaining societal peace.
Popo
Slang term for police.
Watch out, the popo are on patrol tonight.
Police
Applicable in all contexts, including legal and international.
Local police cooperated with international agencies.
Popo
Common in youth and urban cultures.
Songs about running from the popo are popular in some genres.
Police
Official term for law enforcement officers.
The police were called to the scene of the accident.
Popo
(colloquial) po-po
Police
The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and the use of force legitimized by the state via the monopoly on violence.
Police
A body of government employees trained in methods of law enforcement and crime prevention and detection and authorized to maintain the peace, safety, and order of the community.
Police
A body of persons with a similar organization and function
Campus police. Also called police force.
Police
(Archaic) Regulation and control of the affairs of a community, especially with respect to maintenance of order, law, health, morals, safety, and other matters affecting the public welfare.
Police
(Informal) A group that admonishes, cautions, or reminds
Grammar police.
Fashion police.
Police
The cleaning of a military base or other military area
Police of the barracks must be completed before inspection.
Police
The soldiers assigned to a specified maintenance duty.
Police
To regulate, control, or keep in order with a law enforcement agency or other official group.
Police
To impose one's viewpoint or beliefs regarding, especially in an authoritarian way
Policing others' comments by implementing speech codes.
Police
To critique in a presumptuous or arrogant manner
Policed the grammar of everyone who commented on the blog post.
Police
To make (a military area, for example) neat in appearance
Policed the barracks.
Police
A public agency charged with enforcing laws and maintaining public order, usually being granted special privileges to do so, particularly
Call the police!
Police
A department of local (usually municipal) government responsible for general law enforcement.
The Sheriff's Department has jurisdiction across most of Chicago but focuses on the unincorporated area and tasks like prisoner transport, leaving the rest to the Chicago Police Department.
Police
(UK) A branch of the Home Office responsible for general law enforcement within a specific territory.
Police
Any of the formally enacted law enforcement agencies at various levels of government.
Police
The staff of such a department or agency, particularly its officers; an individual police officer.
Police
People who try to enforce norms or standards as if granted authority similar to the police.
Who called the fashion police?
Police
Cleanup of a military facility, as a formal duty.
Police
Synonym of administration, the regulation of a community or society.
Police
(obsolete) policy.
Police
(obsolete) polity, civilization, a regulated community.
Police
(transitive) To enforce the law and keep order among (a group).
Extra security was hired to police the crowd at the big game.
Police
To clean up an area.
Police
To enforce norms or standards upon.
To police a person's identity
Police
A judicial and executive system, for the government of a city, town, or district, for the preservation of rights, order, cleanliness, health, etc., and for the enforcement of the laws and prevention of crime; the administration of the laws and regulations of a city, incorporated town, or borough.
Police
That which concerns the order of the community; the internal regulation of a state.
Police
The organized body of civil officers in a city, town, or district, whose particular duties are the preservation of good order, the prevention and detection of crime, and the enforcement of the laws.
Police
Military police, the body of soldiers detailed to preserve civil order and attend to sanitary arrangements in a camp or garrison.
Police
The cleaning of a camp or garrison, or the state a camp as to cleanliness.
Police
To keep in order by police.
Police
To make clean; as, to police a camp.
Police
The force of policemen and officers;
The law came looking for him
Police
Maintain the security of by carrying out a control
Common Curiosities
What does "popo" mean?
"Popo" is a slang term for the police, often used informally.
Is it appropriate to use "popo" in a formal setting?
No, "popo" is considered informal and slang, and it is not appropriate for formal or professional contexts.
How do police officers generally react to being called "popo"?
Reactions can vary; some might not mind, while others could view it as a sign of disrespect.
What is the origin of the slang "popo"?
The origin of "popo" as slang for police is not clearly documented, but it is thought to have emerged in urban American English.
Is it legally okay to call police "popo"?
While it's not illegal to refer to police as "popo," it's generally more respectful and appropriate to use the term "police," especially in formal or official interactions.
Why might someone use "popo" instead of "police"?
Using "popo" can convey a casual or irreverent attitude, and it might be used to fit in with certain cultural or social groups.
Can "police" be used to refer to a single officer?
Yes, though it is more commonly used in the plural form, "police" can refer to individual officers, especially in formal contexts.
Can using "popo" affect public perception?
Yes, using slang like "popo" can influence how people view law enforcement, potentially fostering a less formal or less respectful image.
Are there any negative connotations associated with "popo"?
Yes, in some contexts, "popo" can be perceived as derogatory or disrespectful towards police officers.
What should I teach my children to call the police?
Teaching children to refer to the police with their official title, "police," is advisable to foster respect for authority.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
